I am being a bit hypocritical when it comes to this blog topic, but it is something I definitely want to be able to hold myself more accountable to in the future. When it comes to pets, adopt don’t shop.

I have had two dogs in my life, both purebred yellow labrador retrievers that my parents bought from a specific breeding family. My current puppy, Crosby, just turned 1 in early January. He was the absolute cutest thing as an 8-week old puppy, weighing only 12 pounds when we got him. Obviously, in my opinion, he is still one of the cutest dogs ever. While I am lucky enough to have the opportunity available to buy a puppy at this age that was purebred solely to be sold, there are over 70 million stray animals in America alone. Only about 6 to 8 million cats and dogs, each year, are put in the nation’s shelter systems. This number is absolutely crazy!!!!! It is definitely one of the saddest things to hear about, as an avid animal lover it truly breaks my heart. 

We as a country, as affluent as we are, should put more effort into fighting the problem of abandonment with animals and fighting the idea that more animals can be bred just to be sold before everyone that already has life is taken care of. While it seems unrealistic and would be difficult for the problem to ever disappear 100%, the biggest step that everyone can take is to adopt rather than shop. 

ADOPTION COSTS

One of the biggest issues that people who want to help can run into is adoption costs. I know lots of people who would adopt every single dog and cat and other animals in the shelter if they had the money and the space available. Unfortunately, it would be pretty impossible to do so. That being said, I know for a fact that purchasing a bred dog is a lot more expensive than adopting one. To break it down, while it can obviously vary significantly from place to place and even state to state, according to information from the Animal Humane Society, the cost of adopting a dog would be just over $400 and the total cost of care would be just over $1,300. Now when you look at purchasing a dog from a breeder, while this can vary too, the average price of purchase alone can be anywhere from $1000 to $3000. This doesn’t even include costs of care. Not only would adopting a dog be a better financial decision, it will also be the best way to do a share of help in this issue. Bred dogs will almost always get sold eventually, especially since they are young, cute puppies (which I will touch on later), but you might be a stray dog’s only chance at a new life, especially if their years are dwindling down.

WANTING A “CUTE PUPPY”

I would say another one of the biggest issues with adopting, especially when it is in regards to a new family with younger kids, is that people would rather have a cute puppy that was just recently born than a dog that might be 5 or 6 and already at its peak of maturity. I think something really important to remember is that a dog older in age can have JUST as much energy and love to give as little puppies do. No matter their age, they can still be puppies, and they can sure as hell still be the most adorable puppies ever. A cage doesn’t make them ugly. When they spend every single day of their life in a cage at the shelter with minimal playtime, they will absolutely love on you so much if you were to adopt them. It most definitely makes everything worth it; knowing you were able to alter at least one dog’s cruel reality. This idea that you need a “cute small puppy” to represent your “new and cute family” is so unreal!!!!!

How can you not love the idea that you have the ability to completely alter an animal’s life for the good?!?! I know it can be very hard to change people’s opinion on this topic, but it is still important to bring the topic up, at the very least. 

I was most definitely yelling at my family throughout parts of this, but I know that when I grow up and start my own family I want to preach #adoptdontshop. Each and every animal deserves love and attention and a warm, loving family and can be your bestest, cutest friend if you give them the love they deserve. <3